Apparatus for restraining a garbage can

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to restrain a garbage can from unwanted movement having an inner annulus and or an outer annulus interconnected with a container with the outer annulus and or the container receiving weighting means including rocks, sand, concrete, spikes or liquids. The container formed to receive a garbage can to withstand unintended tipping of the garbage can.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unintended movement of garbage containers occurs by the forces of wind and inquisitive animals. Mechanisms intending to secure such containers, and other items such as beach umbrellas, from wind Prior art which is distinguished includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,582 to Sipple (disclosing a weighted refuse container); U.S. Pat. No. 1,351,747 to Flinn (disclosing a refuse container received into an outer shell not disclosing a weighted outer container to stabilize an inner container); U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,493 to Walton et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,649 to Bigford; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,554 to Hollenbeck; U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,818 to Tsappi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,944 to Buttimore; U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,346 to Urgola; U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,196 to Fanti; U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,451 to Henry; U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,349 to Najd. The patents referred to herein are cited in an Information Disclosure Statement in accordance with 37 CFR 1.97.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus of a weighted annulus which receives a container where the weighted annulus restrains or secures the container from unintended movement. The disclosed invention more particularly relates to a weighted annulus sized to receive a garbage can to restrain the garbage can from movement by wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Garbage Can Restraint (1) at least one annulus (29) with an inner wall (30). In a preferred embodiment at least an inner annulus (29) and an outer annulus (10). A container (40) has a container top (41) which adjoins by forming or affixing means at or proximal the inner wall top (31). The outer annulus (10) has an outer annulus bottom (25) and the container has a container wall (42) and a container bottom (45). The outer annulus (10) and the container (40) will receive weighting materials including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids. The container (40) is formed and sized to receive a garbage can for the purpose of providing restraining forces against the garbage can to resist unintended movement including turning over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the Garbage Can Restraint showing the outer annulus and container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view from FIG. 1 showing the outer annulus outer wall, outer annulus bottom and inner wall. Also seen is the inner wall top and container.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view from FIG. 2 further illustrating outer annulus top dimension D3 (23) and outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24) and container top dimension D1 (43) and container bottom dimension D2 (44).

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the Garbage Can Restraint.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 1 having an outer annulus with an inner wall having an inner wall top. A container is illustrated having a container top formed or affixed at or proximal the inner wall top.

FIG. 6 is a section of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detail from FIG. 6 illustrating an alternative form of the outer annulus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the Garbage Can Restraint showing the at least one annulus, seen as an inner annulus, and container.

FIG. 9 is a section view from FIG. 8 showing the inner annulus, inner wall, inner wall top and container.

FIG. 10 is a section view from FIG. 9 showing additionally an outwardly extending flange the inner annulus, inner wall, inner wall top and container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention seen in FIG. 1 through 4 showing the Garbage Can Restraint (1). Illustrated is an outer annulus (10) having an outer wall (20), an outer annulus bottom (25) and an inner wall (30). The inner wall (30) has an inner wall top (31) distal to the outer annulus bottom (25). A container (40) has a container top (41), a container wall (42) and a container bottom (45). The outer annulus wall (20) and inner wall (30) are interconnected by metal forming and or plastic molding means to the outer annulus bottom (25). The container (40) and inner wall (30) are interconnected by metal forming and or plastic molding means at or proximal the container top (41) and the inner wall top (31). The container bottom (45) and container wall (42) is interconnected by metal forming and or plastic molding means.

The container (40) has a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (20) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31), greater than a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25). In the preferred embodiment D1 is greater than D2.

The outer annulus (10) has an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23), the distance from the outer wall (20) distal from the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30), and an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24), the distance from the outer wall (20) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25). In the preferred embodiment D3 is greater than D4.

In the preferred embodiment the outer annulus wall (20), the inner wall (30) and the container (40) forms a frustrum. In the preferred embodiment the container (40) has a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31), greater than a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall proximal the outer annulus bottom (25). In the preferred embodiment the outer annulus outer wall (20) forms a frustrum having an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23) greater than an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24) relative to the inner wall (30). In the preferred embodiment the inner wall top dimension D5 (33), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) to the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41), is less than the inner wall bottom dimension D6 (34), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45). The relative forms of the frustrums, in the preferred embodiment, of the outer annulus wall (20), the inner wall (30) and the container wall (40) facilitates stacking multitudes of said garbage can restraints (1) for shipping and transport.

The inner wall top (31) is formed or affixed, by container forming or fixing means at or proximal to the container top (41). The Garbage Can Restraint (1) may be formed by metal or plastic forming means from sheet metal, plastics and other rigid and semi-rigid materials. In the preferred embodiment the Garbage Can Restraint (1) will be formed, regarding all elements, from a metal forming or plastic forming process including but not limited to stamping and injection molding.

The outer annulus outer wall (20), inner wall (30) and container (40), in the preferred embodiment form right conical cylinders which are not limiting, however, in the said elements having a variety of cross sections including but not limited to circular and rectangular. In the preferred embodiment weighting means, including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids is introduced into and contained by the outer annulus (10) and, where desired, at the container bottom (45).

In an alternative embodiment, as seen in FIG. 5 through 7, the inner annulus (29) has an outer wall (20) having an outer wall top (21) affixed, at the outer wall top (21) by molding, metal forming or other means and downwardly projecting from and proximal to the container top (41) and an inner wall (30) intermediate the outer wall (20) and the container (40); the inner wall (30) downwardly projecting from the inner wall top (31) from the container wall (42) and intermediate the container top (41) and the container bottom (45). In this embodiment, the outer wall (20) and the inner wall (30) are interconnected by affixing means including molding, metal forming and other means at an annulus bottom (25). The introduction of weighting means, including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids. In the alternative embodiment weighting means, including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids is introduced into and contained by the outer annulus (10) via an opening means (47), which may be an aperture, proximal the container top (41) at the annulus outer wall (20) or the container wall (42) which is in filling communication into the inner annulus (29) between the outer annulus wall (20) and the inner wall (30), as seen in FIG. 6, or, opening means (47), as seen in FIG. 7, may be a space between the inner wall top (31) and the annulus outer wall (20). For the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5 through 7, weighting means may also be introduced, where desired, at the container bottom (45). Where weighting means is a liquid a container second bottom (46) having a container second bottom aperture (48) may be positioned in the container (40) intermediate the container top (41) and the container bottom (45).

In another alternative embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the an at least one annulus (29), depicted as an inner annulus (29) has an inner wall (30) downwardly projecting from the inner wall top (31) and affixed at the inner wall top (31) by molding, metal forming and other means at or proximal the container top (41). The introduction of weighting means, including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids at the container bottom (45) provides ballast to secure the invention from unwanted tipping over. FIG. 10 additionally depicts a flange (50) outwardly projecting and securely affixed by flange affixing means to the inner wall (30) most distal from the inner wall top (31). Flange affixing means includes formation by molding, injection molding, welding and other means as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skills in the arts. The flange (50) provides a structure through which spike means may be inserted to further anchor the apparatus (1) to the earth, a wooden structure of other material. Additionally, the flange (50) may receive weighting means.

In an alternative embodiment weighting means, including, for example, rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids is introduced into and contained by the outer annulus (10) via an opening means (47), which may be an aperture, proximal the container top (41) at the annulus outer wall (20) or the container wall (42) which is in filling communication into the outer annulus (10) between the outer annulus wall (20) and the inner wall (30), as seen in FIG. 6, or, opening means (47), as seen in FIG. 7, may be a space between the inner wall top (31) and the annulus outer wall (20). For the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5 through 7, weighting means may also be introduced, where desired, at the container bottom (45). Where weighting means is a liquid a container second bottom (46) having a container second bottom aperture (48) for fill communication between the second bottom (46) and the container bottom (45).

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A garbage can restraint comprising: (a) at least one annulus (29) having an inner wall (30) downwardly projecting from an inner wall top (31) and affixed at the inner wall top (31), by molding, metal forming and or other means, to a container (40) at or proximal a container top (41); (b) the container (40) has a container wall (42) and a container bottom (45); the inner wall top (31) is formed or affixed, by interconnection means at or proximal to the container top (41); the container wall (42) is interconnected by interconnection means to the container bottom (45).
 2. A garbage can restraint of claim 1 further comprising: (a) the at least one annulus (29) comprising at least one inner annulus (29) and one outer annulus (10); the outer annulus (10) having an outer wall (20), interconnected by interconnection means by an outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30) distal to the inner wall top (31); (b) the outer annulus (10) has an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23), the distance from the outer wall (20) distal from the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30), and an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24), the distance from the outer wall (20) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (b) the container (40) has a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) and a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (c) at the inner wall (30) an inner wall top dimension D5 (33), comprising the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) to the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) and an inner wall bottom dimension D6 (34), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45); (c) the garbage can restraint (1) may be formed interconnection means including metal or plastic molding and or forming means from sheet metal, plastics and other rigid and semi-rigid materials; interconnection means including molding, welding, gluing, crimping and riveting.
 3. A garbage can restraint of claim 2 further comprising: (a) the outer annulus outer wall (20) forms a frustrum having an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23) greater than an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24); (b) the container wall (42) forms a frustrum having a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31), greater than a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (c) the inner wall (30) forms a frustrum having an inner wall top dimension D5 (33), comprising the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) to the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41), less than an inner wall bottom dimension D6 (34), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45); (d) the relative forms of the frustrums of the outer annulus wall (20), the inner wall (30) and the container wall (40) facilitates stacking multitudes of said garbage can restraints (1) for shipping and transport.
 4. A garbage can restraint of claim 3 further comprising: (a) the outer annulus outer wall (20), inner wall (30) and container (40) form right conical cylinders; the container (40) formed to receive a garbage can; (b) weighting means, including, rocks, sand, concrete, or liquids is introduced into and contained by the outer annulus (10) and or at the container bottom (45); (c) where weighting means is introduced at the container bottom (45), a second container bottom (46) having therein a container second bottom opening means (48) may be affixed to the container wall (42) intermediate the container bottom (45) and the container top (41).
 5. A garbage can restraint of claim 3 further comprising: (a) the outer annulus outer wall (20), the inner wall (30) and the container wall (42) have circular or rectangular cross sections; the container (40) formed to receive a garbage can; (b) weighting means, including, rocks, sand, concrete, or liquids is introduced into and contained by the outer annulus (10) and or at the container bottom (45); (c) where weighting means is introduced at the container bottom (45), a second container bottom (46) having therein a container second bottom opening means (48) may be affixed to the container wall (42) intermediate the container bottom (45) and the container top (41).
 6. A garbage can restraint of claim 1 further comprising: (a) the outer annulus (10) has an outer annulus wall (20) upwardly projecting proximal the inner wall top (31) and proximal the container top (41); (b) an opening means (47) proximal the container top (41) at the annulus outer wall (20) or the container wall (42) which is in filling communication into the outer annulus (10) between the outer annulus wall (20) and the inner wall (30).
 7. A garbage can restraint of claim 6 further comprising: (a) introduction of weighting means, including rocks, sand, concrete, and liquids into the outer annulus at the opening means (47) and or at the container bottom (45); (b) where weighting means is introduced at the container bottom (45), a second container bottom (46) having therein a container second bottom opening means (48) may be affixed to the container wall (42) intermediate the container bottom (45) and the container top (41); (c) the outer annulus (10) has an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23), the distance from the outer wall (20) distal from the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30), and an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24), the distance from the outer wall (20) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (d) the container (40) has a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) and a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (e) at the inner wall (30) an inner wall top dimension D5 (33), comprising the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) to the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) and an inner wall bottom dimension D6 (34), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45); (f) the garbage can restraint (1) may be formed interconnection means including metal or plastic molding and or forming means from sheet metal, plastics and other rigid and semi-rigid materials; interconnection means including welding, crimping and riveting.
 8. A garbage can restraint of claim 7 further comprising: (a) the outer annulus outer wall (20) forms a frustrum having an outer annulus top dimension D3 (23) greater than, less than or equal to an outer annulus bottom dimension D4 (24); (b) the container wall (42) forms a frustrum having a container top dimension D1 (43), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41) to the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31), greater than a container bottom dimension D2 (44), the distance from the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45) to the inner wall proximal the outer annulus bottom (25); (c) the inner wall (30) forms a frustrum having an inner wall top dimension D5 (33), comprising the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the inner wall top (31) to the container wall (42) proximal the container top (41), less than an inner wall bottom dimension D6 (34), the distance from the inner wall (30) proximal the outer annulus bottom (25) to the container wall (42) proximal the container bottom (45); (d) the relative forms of the frustrums of the outer annulus wall (20), the inner wall (30) and the container wall (40) facilitates stacking multitudes of said garbage can restraints (1) for shipping and transport.
 9. A garbage can restraint of claim 8 further comprising: (a) a flange (50) outwardly projecting and securely affixed by flange affixing means to the inner wall (30) most distal from the inner wall top (31). 